On Wednesday, all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne received a one-year suspension from all forms of cricket for breaking the terms of his contract with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) while playing in the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.
According to SLC, “the disciplinary inquiry was carried out by the three-member inquiry panel into the alleged violations by the nationally contracted player,” Karunaratne pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him, including breaking several provisions of the Player Agreement.
According to earlier accounts, Karunarante allegedly got into a fight at a casino during the World Cup. But when pressed by IANS, SLC would not specify the precise allegations levied against the bowling all-rounder.
According to the SLC, “Given the gravity of the violations committed by Mr. Karunaratne, the Inquiry Panel has recommended to the Executive Committee of the SLC that it issue a strong warning to the player to refrain from further violations and to impose a punishment that will not affect his cricketing career.”
Following the inquiry panel’s conclusions and recommendations, the SLC Executive Committee imposed a one-year ban on playing any kind of cricket, with a one-year suspension of the original ban. Karunarante also received a US$ 5,000 fine.
Karunarante has also been left off the team for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan that begins on November 25 in Kandy.
Danushka Gunathilaka, another batter who had been hurt, was placed on detention while a Sydney court heard an allegation of suspected sexual assault made by a woman he had met through a dating app. Despite receiving bail, Gunathilaka is not allowed to leave Australia.